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Brooksmith
A middle-period short story by Henry James about the enthusiasms and decay of an intellectually curious servant.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1891
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About the author
Henry James
4,584 books3,952 followersHenry James was an American-British author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.
He is best known for his novels dealing with the social and marital interplay between émigré Americans, the English, and continental Europeans, such as The Portrait of a Lady. His later works, such as The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl were increasingly experimental. In describing the internal states of mind and social dynamics of his characters, James often wrote in a style in which ambiguous or contradictory motives and impressions were overlaid or juxtaposed in the discussion of a character's psyche. For their unique ambiguity, as well as for other aspects of their composition, his late works have been compared to Impressionist painting.
His novella The Turn of the Screw has garnered a reputation as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language and remains his most widely adapted work in other media. He wrote other highly regarded ghost stories, such as "The Jolly Corner".
James published articles and books of criticism, travel, biography, autobiography, and plays. Born in the United States, James largely relocated to Europe as a young man, and eventually settled in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Jorge Luis Borges said "I have visited some literatures of East and West; I have compiled an encyclopedic compendium of fantastic literature; I have translated Kafka, Melville, and Bloy; I know of no stranger work than that of Henry James."
He is best known for his novels dealing with the social and marital interplay between émigré Americans, the English, and continental Europeans, such as The Portrait of a Lady. His later works, such as The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl were increasingly experimental. In describing the internal states of mind and social dynamics of his characters, James often wrote in a style in which ambiguous or contradictory motives and impressions were overlaid or juxtaposed in the discussion of a character's psyche. For their unique ambiguity, as well as for other aspects of their composition, his late works have been compared to Impressionist painting.
His novella The Turn of the Screw has garnered a reputation as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language and remains his most widely adapted work in other media. He wrote other highly regarded ghost stories, such as "The Jolly Corner".
James published articles and books of criticism, travel, biography, autobiography, and plays. Born in the United States, James largely relocated to Europe as a young man, and eventually settled in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Jorge Luis Borges said "I have visited some literatures of East and West; I have compiled an encyclopedic compendium of fantastic literature; I have translated Kafka, Melville, and Bloy; I know of no stranger work than that of Henry James."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 20, 2022
Reading a lot lately about Oscar Wilde, and it amuses me to think about Oscar and stuffy old Henry James crossing paths in the 1880s and 1890s (they did meet).
Reading "Brooksmith" with one's head full of the codes and allusions of 1890s London society leads to much speculation; for example Brooksmith the butler has become used to the "poetry" of his place with Mr. Oliver Offord, an unmarried retired diplomat, and will perhaps have become "spoiled," unable to adjust to the "prose" of a less cultivated setting. Discussing Lord Byron is an important touchstone; in another house, Byron is never mentioned. The atmosphere Brooksmith creates with Offord is referred to as "Arcadia."
The flavour here at times is reminiscent of the themes in The Remains of the Day; themes such as the importance of staff establishing the elevated mood and enforcing standards. The language, though, is much more "Jamesian" than one can cope with—I was forced at time to read and reread, straining to squeeze drops of meaning from spongy phrases.
For example, at the end of the first paragraph referring to the "most delightful Englishman anyone had ever known," the retired diplomat Mr. Offord:
I remain puzzled at the italicized "it"which people didn't like; and who are the people of "that sort"?
Brooksmith's contribution to the success of Offord's salon was immeasurable, and our unnamed narrator becomes a little obsessed with Brooksmith, even developing the unrealistic fantasy that he might "take him on."
Part of the scandal with Wilde is that he consorted with "lower classes"; and Henry James was also noted for his willingness to talk to everyone, even with servants. "Brooksmith" is a story in which class distinctions are blurred but also reinforced. There is a friendship of sorts across class lines, between Brooksmith and the narrator; but reflecting perhaps the hesitations and timidness in James's own life, the obstacles to friendship are deemed insurmountable.
Reading "Brooksmith" with one's head full of the codes and allusions of 1890s London society leads to much speculation; for example Brooksmith the butler has become used to the "poetry" of his place with Mr. Oliver Offord, an unmarried retired diplomat, and will perhaps have become "spoiled," unable to adjust to the "prose" of a less cultivated setting. Discussing Lord Byron is an important touchstone; in another house, Byron is never mentioned. The atmosphere Brooksmith creates with Offord is referred to as "Arcadia."
The flavour here at times is reminiscent of the themes in The Remains of the Day; themes such as the importance of staff establishing the elevated mood and enforcing standards. The language, though, is much more "Jamesian" than one can cope with—I was forced at time to read and reread, straining to squeeze drops of meaning from spongy phrases.
For example, at the end of the first paragraph referring to the "most delightful Englishman anyone had ever known," the retired diplomat Mr. Offord:
But I suppose he had been too much liked—liked even by those who didn't like it—so that as people of that sort never get titles or dotations for the horrid things they've not done, his principal reward was simply that we went to see him.
I remain puzzled at the italicized "it"which people didn't like; and who are the people of "that sort"?
Brooksmith's contribution to the success of Offord's salon was immeasurable, and our unnamed narrator becomes a little obsessed with Brooksmith, even developing the unrealistic fantasy that he might "take him on."
Part of the scandal with Wilde is that he consorted with "lower classes"; and Henry James was also noted for his willingness to talk to everyone, even with servants. "Brooksmith" is a story in which class distinctions are blurred but also reinforced. There is a friendship of sorts across class lines, between Brooksmith and the narrator; but reflecting perhaps the hesitations and timidness in James's own life, the obstacles to friendship are deemed insurmountable.
September 2, 2019
A sad and beautiful story about a human being that was a servant in the society divided by classes.
August 18, 2020
Читая эту историю, я начал сомневаться в своем знании английского языка. В витиеватой и вычурной форме автор повествует о судьбе дворецкого.
December 2, 2019
This is a stab at English aristocracy and their treatment of their servant class. The crucial phrase here is he was “spoiled.” His major employer Mr. Offord provides an environment where he feels at home, so to speak, but when he dies he leaves Brooksmith a pittance and it’s a downward journey from then on.
April 17, 2020
Think of Mr. Carson without any Abbey to work for or Crawleys left to care about him. The sad decline told by our narrator, beautifully done.
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October 6, 20257 out of 10.
This was one of James' works that worked for me. A short story about a gentleman's butler whose life is tragically upended when his master dies.
This was one of James' works that worked for me. A short story about a gentleman's butler whose life is tragically upended when his master dies.
February 21, 2021
Brooksmith was a butler in the fading era of weekly salons hosted in the houses of the more illustrious of the upper class. The art of engaging conversation was a priority of these events. Brooksmith's employer wasn't much to speak of, but his employer's salons were a success, and it was often whispered that it was because of the attentions of the butler. He couldn't really join in the conversation, but through a keen ear he knew when to be where in the room for ultimate effect and while it doesn't sound like much, it seemed to make all the difference.
Brooksmith loved his job, and loved the intellectual atmosphere of the salons his employed hosted in particular. He did his work with an attention to detail and a perfection that impressed all.
The story is narrated by a guest of these salons. While the others might notice the butler in passing, remarking for instance on how lucky Brooksmith is to be able to work in a house with events such as these when it's obvious he's interested in them, the narrator pays particular attention to the butler and strikes up something of an unspoken friendliness with him, as such as this feeling can be developed between a member of the upper class and a servant.
When Brooksmith's wealthy employer, who has no relatives to speak of and who was known as being so kind to Brooksmith, dies, he does leave Brooksmith some money, which most think very generous of him to do. But really it's only a pittance and though Brooksmith himself is ageing, he must then search out other work.
This has tinges of The Remains of the Day as well as Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Gosford Park and so many others of that ilk, and could be considered an early predecessor and forgotten inspiration (although, in Ishiguro's case, I know he is a fan of James and have to think this story in particular inspired him).
It is a great short story, filled with the sort of subtle but sharp observations that James is so good at. It's the story of how the class structure can be so unjust, and the limits of what a bright and intellectually curious member of the servants class could aspire to in society.
Brooksmith loved his job, and loved the intellectual atmosphere of the salons his employed hosted in particular. He did his work with an attention to detail and a perfection that impressed all.
The story is narrated by a guest of these salons. While the others might notice the butler in passing, remarking for instance on how lucky Brooksmith is to be able to work in a house with events such as these when it's obvious he's interested in them, the narrator pays particular attention to the butler and strikes up something of an unspoken friendliness with him, as such as this feeling can be developed between a member of the upper class and a servant.
When Brooksmith's wealthy employer, who has no relatives to speak of and who was known as being so kind to Brooksmith, dies, he does leave Brooksmith some money, which most think very generous of him to do. But really it's only a pittance and though Brooksmith himself is ageing, he must then search out other work.
This has tinges of The Remains of the Day as well as Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Gosford Park and so many others of that ilk, and could be considered an early predecessor and forgotten inspiration (although, in Ishiguro's case, I know he is a fan of James and have to think this story in particular inspired him).
It is a great short story, filled with the sort of subtle but sharp observations that James is so good at. It's the story of how the class structure can be so unjust, and the limits of what a bright and intellectually curious member of the servants class could aspire to in society.
September 19, 2020
Loosing your spot in arcadia.
Brooksmith spends his life as a butler in service of an Oliver Offord. A cultured man constantly entertaining guests, they discuss art, literature ,society...he learns french. But like anything else utopias are impermanent.
Neither Goodreads nor my synopsis do it justice, class consciousness like this is not to found often in classics.
It takes a little time to parse if your rusty with classics (as am I) but its well worth the read.
Brooksmith spends his life as a butler in service of an Oliver Offord. A cultured man constantly entertaining guests, they discuss art, literature ,society...he learns french. But like anything else utopias are impermanent.
Neither Goodreads nor my synopsis do it justice, class consciousness like this is not to found often in classics.
It takes a little time to parse if your rusty with classics (as am I) but its well worth the read.
June 27, 2018
I was deeply touched by this story about an intellectually curious servant. I’m a big Downton Abbey fan which portrayed the many lives of the servants as well as the household. As in the Series, this short story provided a sad realism to lives that were separated by class in society and the inability of the lower classes to advance in society.
January 24, 2020
It reminded me of my former teacher when we studied The Figure in the Carpet. Henry James is definitely not one of my favorite authors.
October 9, 2022
A character sketch -- think Jeeves but in a minor key -- that halfway through tries, and fails, to become a story. We never quite learn the secret to Brooksmith's success -- is it really just a matter of being able to interrupt a conversation before it goes south? -- but do end up pitying the fate that was dealt him due to the social class assigned to him at birth. Three stars, maybe, but surely James could've done better with the subject matter.
February 11, 2019
Life and Work of an English Butler
Brooksmith is quite a character! This short story engages the reader in Brooksmith’s life, its ups and down, its charm and mysteries. Henry James vivid style and the narrative in first person (through the perspective of one character) attract the reader. At the end, the reader will not be indifferent.
Brooksmith is quite a character! This short story engages the reader in Brooksmith’s life, its ups and down, its charm and mysteries. Henry James vivid style and the narrative in first person (through the perspective of one character) attract the reader. At the end, the reader will not be indifferent.
May 24, 2025
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➕ When I first read this I concluded that it was the best short story of all time. I now can't remember why. But I stand behind my past self's enthusiasm. She knew what was what, in all matters. I don't question greatness.
➕ When I first read this I concluded that it was the best short story of all time. I now can't remember why. But I stand behind my past self's enthusiasm. She knew what was what, in all matters. I don't question greatness.
December 18, 2023
Analysis of class consciousness mixed with Henry James’s writing style…. Very slay I fear
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August 4, 2025I couldn’t get into this, I might try it again sometime.
September 26, 2025
One of the two or three most poignant short stories I’ve read
March 12, 2014
In the garden of society, some are showy flowers, some noble towering trees, and some shade-giving vines. All of these are welcome, but without certain others at work behind the scenes to prune, arrange, and cultivate, there’s no final pleasure of composition in the whole. This is a dated but effective portrait of an intellectually curious member of the serving class.
“[T]he only way to be at home is to stay at home.”
“[T]he only way to be at home is to stay at home.”
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews